Additional Topics

Affiliates

The Toxic Affects of Soy

Many people are not aware of the hazards of eating soy or eating soy by products. It is touted as the best thing for avoiding breast cancer, losing weight and an alternative protein to animal protein. Soy lecithin is added to a large percentage of prepared products. According to the FDA over 80% of all prepared products contain some soy or soy by product such as lecithin.

It turns out that while the Asians who eat soy have a lower incidence in breast cancer they have a higher risk of other types of cancers (see the article “Dark Side Of Soy Bean” for more information on this).

The following quote if from the FDA web site: "No sooner had FDA proposed the health claim regulation, however, than concerns arose about certain components in soy products, particularly isoflavones. Resulting questions have engulfed the regulation in controversy..."

The article goes on to say the following: " The problem, researchers say, is that isoflavones are phytoestrogens, a weak form of estrogen that could have a drug-like effect in the body. This may be pronounced in postmenopausal women, and some studies suggest that high isoflavone levels might increase the risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer. Research data, however, are far from conclusive, and some studies show just the opposite--that under some conditions, soy may help prevent breast cancer. It is this scientific conundrum, where evidence simultaneously points to benefits and possible risks, that is causing some researchers to urge caution."

Following are exerpts and links to research and articles about the hazards and toxic affects of eating soy. For many people soy causes brain fog, weight gain and affects the thyroid gland.

Soybeans are widely known to contain a gamut of natural toxins - and it makes no difference whether they are organic, "Round-Up Ready", or in any number of modern products (see our GUIDANCE page)…

http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net/Lsoy3.htm
Apparently scientists have known for years that the isoflavones in soy products can depress thyroid function and cause goiters in otherwise healthy children and adults. Researchers at Cornell University Medical College said that children who got soy formula were more likely to develop thyroid disease and that twice as many diabetic children had received soy formula in infancy as compared to non-diabetic children…

In 2002, the British Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in food, Consumer Products and Environment" which found no merit in most of the health claims of soy. They identified infants on soy formula, vegetarians who use soy as a primary source of protein, and adults trying to prevent disease with soy foods and soy supplements as all being at risk for thyroid damage…

This can be confusing since Asian peoples have used soy for centuries and many people believe this keeps them free of most Western diseases. But while Asians show lower rates of breast, prostate and colon cancers, they suffer higher rates of thyroid, pancreatic, liver, stomach and esophageal cancers…

Asians also eat different soy foods from the ones now appearing on American tables…miso, natto, temped, tofu, tamari and shoyu…instead of energy bars, soy shakes, soymik, veggie burgers, TVP chili and other meat or dairy substitutes…

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/300_soy.html - FDA site even acknowledges the problem
No sooner had FDA proposed the health claim regulation, however, than concerns arose about certain components in soy products, particularly isoflavones. Resulting questions have engulfed the regulation in controversy…

This came as no surprise to Elizabeth A. Yetley, Ph.D., lead scientist for nutrition at FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition . "Every dietary health claim that has ever been published has had controversy," she says, "even the relationship of saturated fat to a healthy diet."..

Daniel Sheehan, Ph.D., director of the Estrogen Knowledge Base Program at FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research, also urges caution in consumption of soy isoflavones. In formal comments submitted to the public record of his own agency while FDA was reviewing the health claim, Sheehan, along with colleague Daniel Doerge, Ph.D., wrote, "While isoflavones may have beneficial effects at some ages or circumstances, this cannot be assumed to be true at all ages. Isoflavones are like other estrogens in that they are two-edged swords, conferring both benefits and risks."

These organizations have further background on soybean products, as well as recipes and dietary tips:
American Soybean Association
Suite 100
12125 Woodcrest Executive Drive
St. Louis, MO 63141
1-800-688-7692

Monthly Newsletter Roughly once a month, a newsletter is sent out with a topic of interest, a recommended "Book of the Month" reading, an update about the Dancing Bear Healing Center (DBHC) as well as a discount coupon. Subscriptions are managed by Constant Contact.. Visit our "Privacy Page" for more information.

Caveat EmptorPlease note that the material provided at this site is the opinion of Dancing Bear and does not in any way negate the need for appropriate medical care. Also, there are a number of links to other sites from this site. Dancing Bear is not responsible for the content of these sites.

Dancing Bear is a US Federally Registered Trademark, All Rights Reserved.